Morning Star Staff
The celebration for manager Dave Merklinger’s 50-something birthday lasted longer than the Baron Insurance Super League playoff final Wednesday night at the Vernon Curling Club.
North Enderby Timber skip Robbi Kuhn, a dental assistant, brushed off Woodland Equipment’s Jim Cotter 6-0, in six quick ends to claim $600.
Cotter, who has a completely different rink than the one which went 4-7 at the Tim Hortons Brier in Saskatoon, collected $400.
The losing semifinalists – Merkling’s Canwest Propane and Brad Wood’s NuFloors – both earned $300.
Kuhn had her husband Ryan, a 2000 world junior champion with his brother Brad, at third, and Brier veterans Garry VanDenBerghe (formerly of Jeff Stoughton’s foursome) and Doug Smith up front.
“She made a lot of nice draws and played really well,” said Ryan, of his wife.
The Timber crew scored three in the third end after the opening two ends were blanked. They then swiped singles in four and five before shaking hands after six.
“We’ll spend it eventually,” said Ryan, of the winnings. “We’ll get together for a team barbecue.”
Cotter, who finished at 7-9 in the nine-team league, was supported by third Aaron Herrick and a front end of Mark Fillion and Jason Wizniak.
The men’s club playoffs start Monday night with the mixed going Tuesday night and the ladies set for Wednesday night. Finals in all three categories go Thursday at 7 p.m.
Entries, at $220, are being accepted for the Vernon Mixed Bonspiel, March 23-25. Call the curling club at 250-542-6713.
